Nasal radioiodine activity: a prospective study of frequency, intensity, and pattern.
The nose has been reported as a site of radioiodine accumulation on 131I whole-body scintigraphy. To determine the frequency, intensity, and pattern of nasal radioiodine accumulation, a prospective study was performed on 21 patients referred for 131I whole-body scintigraphy during a 26-mo interval. All patients were dosed with 5 mCi (18.5 MBq) of 131I p.o., and imaged 72 hr later. Ninety-five percent (20/21) of patients had nasal radioactivity greater than background, and in 75% (15/20) of positive patients the pattern of activity was round. Clinical follow-up of these patients has shown no evidence of tumor involvement in the nasal area. We conclude that nasal radioiodine activity is a normal finding. Radioiodine uptake in the nasal area, without clinical suspicion of metastatic disease, should not be considered a criterion for surgical intervention or radioiodine therapy.
Norby
E H
EH
Nuclear Medicine Service, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC 20307-5001.
Neutze
J
J
Van Nostrand
D
D
Burman
K D
KD
Warren
R W
RW
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes; D008297:Male; D009297:Nasal Mucosa / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009666:Nose / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D013964:Thyroid Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
D007457:Iodine Radioisotopes